Local student wins prestigious PEO scholarship

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year will be presented to Fort Scott Christian Heights senior Theresa Schafer. This is the first time a local student has earned the recognition.

The $2,500 scholarship will be presented at the Christian Heights awards ceremony by Megan Felt, a Fort Scott P.E.O. FU Chapter member. Felt has collaborated with Schafer on student-developed projects at the Lowell Milken Center for the last five years.

Schafer is the daughter of Francy and William James Schafer and was recommended for the scholarship by Chapter FU of Fort Scott. Schafer has been accepted and will attend Saint Louis University where she plans to study physical therapy beginning this fall.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is based on excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics and potential for future success. Open to young women who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada and who are graduating high school seniors at the time of application, the student must be recommended by a P.E.O. chapter.

Linda Jackson, committee chair for the scholarship, said this marked the third time the P.E.O. FU Chapter had submitted the name of a young women for the prestigious laurel. The student selected to be sent to International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood in Des Moines, Iowa, has to write an essay, have a 3.0 grade point average and take part in community service projects, she said.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded Jan. 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is an international philanthropic and educational organization which promotes increased educational opportunities for women.

There are approximately 6,000 local chapters in the United States and Canada with more than 350,000 initiated members. The P.E.O. Sisterhood has given nearly $190 million in financial assistance to more than 80,000 women.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood also owns Cottey College, a two-year liberal arts college in Nevada, Mo.

For additional information on the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship, contact Jackson or Felt or visit peointernational.org.